St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-02-03
DAKOTA EEGgSLATURE.

The Members OF the Lower House
DO Business with Their Over
coats Gn.
Special to the Globe.
BISMARCK, Oak, Feb. 2.-The repre-
sentative chamber was about as hot as a
North American refrigerator to-day. The
speaker held Office wrapped up in dog
skin coat, and handled the gavel with
gloYed hands. The legislators hung around
the steam radiators and shivered through
the session with chattering teeth. I'M
mediately after the house was called to
order it went into committee of the whole
to consider two or three bills of ordinary
importance. Representative Harkns, a
one-armed veteran from DEUEL. county,
presided, and he did it with dignity bor-
rowed for the occasion and according to the
dctation of the chief clerk.
HE'S A RATTLER
in the position, however, and the rapidty
with which he reeled off business was
somewhat startling. The divorce bill,
amended so as to render it necessary for
man TO live in the territory one year i'll
stead of ninety days before procuring a
divorce, kicked up considerable lively talk,
nearly all the married members opposing
the amendment on the ground that if a
man and woman found themselves tied to-
gether against their wishes the sooner they
were cut apart the better off they'd be.
The committee finally agreed to report the
bill as amended recommending its passage.
Where the colored fire came in was when
the bill authorizing the burial of members
OF the G. A. r. OF veterans of the late
war at the expense of the territory came
up. There are several Scared and twisted
old
SOLDIERS IN THE HOUSE
ana the bill touched them up and they
turned loose on it. They said the G. A. R.
posts we're amply able to take care of the
dead veterans, and that was what they
were on earth for. If an old soldier died
and was not member of G. a. r. post,
and his friends were unable to bury him,
if they would notify some post his remains
would be given an honorable burial The
opinion prevailed that the old veterans
would in no way become mixed up with
pauperiSm. so long as there were enough Of
the living TO take care of the dead. The
argument of the old soldiers had salutary
effect on the young members of the house
and the bill was returned to the house with
the recommendation that it do not pass.
Mr. HarkinS, the gentleman presiding,
was fighter from away back himself, and
his enthusiasm during the discussion occa-
siOnally broke out, but there was no harm
done beyond little innocent amusement
1t grew colder, but the members were bound
to
BULLDOZE THE WEATHER
and mu1fied in coats, they continued to
legislate. Bills were called for and half
dozen inoffenSive slips of paper were borne
10 the clerks desk by the pages, when they
were placed on first reading. Mr.. Dodds.
of Nelson, introduced bill providing that
the law governing tree planting be amended
to fix the distance of the trees apart at
twelve feet. A rather important bill was
introduced by NJ. II. Cooper that will be of
great benefit to worlngmen if it passes,
and will tend to render Mr.. Cooper exceed
ingly solid with that portion of his constitu-
ency that is horny handed. 1t provides
that the county attorney shall take the case
of a workingman or woman of his county
and carry it through without charge. The
bill WILL no doubt go through with a
whoop. j. NJ. Moore introduced a bill re-
pealing the law providing for an assessment
OF school and poll tax. The council did
business i'll a warmer climate than that
which surrounded the house, but their order
was brief, and after setting in session an
hour they adjourned.
NO BILLS WE'RE PASSED,
none of Importance introduced The Mitch
ell court removal bill was placed on its
second reading and referred to the judiciary
committee which it is understood will re-
port it to the house, recommending its pas
sage If it gets through it will have the
life all squeezed out OF it when it shows up
again. but the Mitchell faction will make a
hard fight to win their point. The train
from the East tonight brought in an in
voice of lobbyists from Mitchell who will
get in their fine lace work, and, if possible,
pull the bill through. The railroad repre-
sentatives have come and gone like Jonah s
gourd and it is evident from the actions OF
the railroad committees that the magnates
have fixed the matter, so far as the Collins bill
is concerned. to suit themselves. There are
no probabilities of very bloody fight over
it. Acting Governor Mccormack sent his
first communication TO the council to-day.
He returned two bills for proper enrolment
aud engrossmenT, He says he proposes to
have the clerks earn their wages.
TEE AITCH.